SOME time ago I was sent for to visit an elderly gentleman who was ill. He had lived for this world, for money-making, but now in his declining days the money fox which he had toiled so hard brought him no comfort. He was anxious about the future, for he felt he was without “hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:12.) He knew the plan of salvation in theory, but did not know the Lord, whom to know is eternal life. (John 17:3.)
I read to him scriptures on sins being laid on Christ (Isa. 53:6); sins borne on the cross (1 Peter 2:24); sin put away (Heb. 9:26); sins forgotten by God (Heb. 10:17).
After reading these blessed scriptures he said, “I see it all―it’s very clear―but I want to feel something here,” laying his hand upon his breast, “so that I could be sure God had pardoned my sins.”
I said, “You are seeking a sign, are you?” “Yes,” he replied, “I am wanting a sign from God that I am saved; then I could be happy.”
“You will never get a sign of your salvation until you are saved, until you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,” I said. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.’” (1 John 5:10.)
This remark of mine brought out from the old gentleman the following: ― “My dear departed wife,” he said, “was a very happy Christian, but at one time in her life she had doubts of her salvation, and she remained in darkness for a long time. But one night she dreamed she was standing by the side of a lake, and she saw floating upon the surface of the water a girdle. Whilst she was gazing at it someone said to her, ‘Go, get the girdle, and put it on.’ She did so, and on looking at it she saw written upon it in letters of gold these words, ‘Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.’ (Eph. 1:4) She awoke; it was but a dream. “But,” continued he, “from that time to the day of her death she never had a doubt about her salvation; and I want a sign like that.”
In reply to what I could only regard in him as a superstitious trust in a dream, I said, “You remind me very much of a king we read of in the word of God (2 Kings 20:1-11) who received a message from God by the lips of a prophet, saying. ‘Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.’ He at once believed it, and ‘turned his face to the wall.’ The same day, perhaps the same hour, the same prophet returned with a different message―one of life― ‘I will heal thee’ (vs. 5); but the king would not believe that without a sign. You have believed the message of death—you own you deserve eternal death―but will not believe the message of life without a sign. God has never promised to give you one. He gives us His word in which to trust.” After prayer I left. A few days after, I was sent for to see him again, as he was in great misery of soul. Whilst I was reading the word of God to him the doctor entered, and I left. I returned a few hours after, and to my surprise I found him bright and joyous.
“After you left this morning,” he said, “these words of the Lord Jesus came to my mind with power, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.’ (John 6:29.) I believe, and I know I am saved.”
Now, dear reader, are you seeking Christ? Then look not for a sign, for that is unbelief. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar.” (1 John 5:10.) You may think that looking within your own heart for feelings of some kind is a pious exercise, but it is after all but the fruit of self-righteousness, and is dishonoring to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God testifies of His Son in His word, and you are rejecting His testimony. “He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.” (John 5:23.) It is dishonoring the work of the Son, and despising the work of the Spirit, who has shown you your need, and now points you to the Lord Jesus Christ. Look away from self ― “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)―and then you will be filled with peace and joy in believing. God grant this to you! J. H. J―G.